Objectives

The main objective was to evaluate the effects of the addition of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) to the daily cat feed ration on the intensity of unpleasant odors of cat faeces. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the digestive tolerance of the product and the cat owner's satisfaction.

Methods

The study was a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study conducted on 2 parallel arms. The experimental products were dry cat food with 1% scFOS (Profeed®, TEREOS) or without scFOS. The inclusion criteria were: healthy cats living in naturalistic conditions at the owner's home, 1–15 years old, using cat litter and whose owners were complaining of their intense bad smells. Cats recently or currently under treatment were excluded. The main criterion was the intensity of the odor of the faeces evaluated by owners on a 7-point Likert scale (0: no odor, 6: unbearable). The digestive tolerance was evaluated by the consistency of stools on a faecal score scale and the satisfaction criterion was evaluated on a Likert scale. These criteria were daily collected during 2 weeks at the beginning of the study and after about 30 days of feeding.

Results

The study covers 57 cats aged of 4.3±3.4 among which 54.4% were female: 27 cats were included in the verum group and 30 in the placebo group. Their characteristics and past history were similar. The intensity of the odor of the faeces were similar in both groups at inclusion (verum 3.5±0.7 vs placebo 3.3±0.6; p: 0.2767). The comparison between the two groups showed that the reduction of the faeces odor was greater in the verum group than in the placebo group, 2.25 more (p:0.06) for a reduction described in absolute values (-0.9±0.9 vs. -0.4±1.1) and 2.5 more (p:0.05) when described as a percentage (-26.9±29.8 vs. -10.4±31.7). The percentage of owners who were very satisfied or extremely satisfied with the improvement of the odor was significantly greater in the verum group than in the placebo group (53.8% vs. 43.3%) and in particular the percentage of very satisfied owners (19.2% vs. 0.0%). Stool consistency remained stable in both groups, confirming that scFOS are well tolerated by cats.

Conclusions

Adding scFOS into the daily cat feed ration is beneficial in order to reduce unpleasant odors of cats' stools without altering digestive tolerance.

Disclosures

Disclosures to report
CEN Nutrition Animal has received research grants from Tereos.